We see big potential in every interaction with our patients and care deeply about what we do every day. Our unique model ensures that we have the very best staff at every level of operation.
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer Dr. Moher was awarded 2018 Physician of the Year by the National Council of Behavioral Health due to his work in Integrated Medicine and specifically his work to reduce opiod use in his patient population. He is the first family physician with a passion for Integrated Healthcare. He graduated from the University of Arizona College of Medicine, and then completed internship and residency in Family Medicine at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon.
Chief Clinical Officer
Chief Clinical Officer Robin is a Licensed Social Worker and a Doctor of Behavioral Health, with a specialty in Integrated Healthcare. Robin also speaks at Integrated Conferences on Integrated Healthcare from a management perspective and therapy approaches for chronic conditions. Robin’s experience as a licensed clinician completing crisis evaluations, assessments, and therapy coupled with her leadership in both inpatient and outpatient settings provide a comprehensive skillset to Escalera Health’s growth and management.
Chief Medical Officer
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Herron graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin and completed his Adult Psychiatry Residency at the University of Arizona. He has worked in many different clinical environments, including correctional institutions, public mental health clinics, university inpatient and outpatient services, a student health clinic, and has extensive experience in treating both in-person and using telemedicine technology. He is also an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Arizona.
Counselor
Counselor Holly graduated from the University of Arizona and brings with her an array of experience in clinical inpatient and outpatient settings, counseling, and care coordination. Holly understands the challenges faced by those struggling with co-occurring disorders and specializes in strategies that help meet the person where they are, valuing the person-centered and integrated care model to provide the best care.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Theresa is Board-certified by the American Nurse Credentialing Center and completed her doctoral studies at Long Island University. She specializes in helping individuals struggling with co-occurring substance use and psychiatric symptoms. Theresa has experience in a wide array of service delivery settings/modalities, including telemedicine technology, out-patient and inpatient settings, partial hospital programs, community-based organizations and substance use treatment centers.
Counselor
Counselor Briana Cuestas is a Licensed Associate Counselor. She received her bachelors degree in Psychology from Northern Arizona University and a masters degree in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University. She utilizes cognitive behavioral strategies and person centered approaches to help meet client needs and work along with the integrative care model. She brings experience from both inpatient and outpatient settings working with co-occurring disorders and crisis intervention.
Physician Assistant
Juniper Dery-Chaffin, M.Ed, M.P.A.S., PA-C, works as a family medicine physician assistant. She provides primary care services, including, but not limited to general family medicine, office-procedures, annual wellness exams, preventative medicine, chronic disease management, pain management, well-woman exams. In addition to outpatient patient care, responsible for primary care rounding through Escalera Health at Cornerstone psychiatric hospital in Tucson, AZ. Juniper also practices as a psychiatric physician assistant to a diverse population of seriously mentally ill patients. Completing mortality reviews and ensuring that the medical staff provided excellent care. Many of the patients had complicated medical histories including Huntington’s disease, diabetes, COPD, end stage renal disease and heart issues.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Mary Hunter graduated from the University of Arizona in Rehabilitation and Special Education. She completed her graduate degree at the University of Arizona in Counseling and Mental Health. Mary is experienced in counseling a wide range of disorders including individuals with traumatic brain injury, providing supervision for counselors in training, and program leadership. She works along with the client utilizing cognitive behavioral techniques within the integrated model of care. Mary enjoys supporting the client in finding greater satisfaction in relationships and an improved quality of life.
Licensed Associate Counselor
Lupita Burruel is a Licensed Associate Counselor and is bilingual in Spanish and English. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona and Master’s degree in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. Her goals are to help her clients feel comfortable and provides a compassionate, person-centered approach. She has experience in addressing acculturation, anxiety, co-morbidity, crisis intervention, depression, grief and loss, self-esteem issues, and trauma. Lupita has worked with children and families, refugees, adults, and brings an abundance of experience from an inpatient and outpatient perspective.
Licensed Therapist
Steve is a Licensed Master Social Worker and has over fifteen years of executive level leadership experience in healthcare organizations across southern Arizona. He received both his Master of Social Work and Juris Doctor degrees from Arizona State University. Steve is a veteran of the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, and Army National Guard. He utilizes cognitive behavioral strategies informed by an integrated care approach to help meet client needs.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioner Emily graduated from the UCLA School of Nursing and after several years of inpatient and outpatient experience as a registered nurse, returned to school at Simmons University where she received her Master of Science in Nursing. Her prior experience in multiple mental health care settings paired with her FNP training, allows her to assist patients with physical needs, as well as provide resources for mental health care needs.
Counselor
Counselor Jo-Ann is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Jo-Ann’s therapy style is collaborative, pragmatic, and compassionate. She has extensive experience helping clients who are struggling with loss and grief, life transitions, divorce, stepfamilies and parenting, domestic violence, workplace issues, and depression. Jo-Ann helps people find better ways of dealing with stress and anxiety, as well as internal conflict and strained relationships. Jo-Ann is a graduate of the University of Chicago and the University of New England.
